Song Review: NCT Dream – Flying Kiss

Pre-releases have become incredibly common this year in K-pop — particularly from the big agencies. NCT Dream’s album isn’t out quite yet, but they’ve surprised us with new track Flying Kiss during the lead-up to promotions. The song showcases the lighter side of the group, offering a soft burst of pop buoyed by a standout chorus.

Honestly, until we hit Flying Kiss‘s chorus I wasn’t sure I’d enjoy the song at all. The verses are a dull musical mush with melodies so slight they evaporate as soon as you hear them. The production is also quite unremarkable here, unwilling to deliver any memorable tone or texture.

Then, Flying Kiss‘s chorus presents the exact opposite experience. The instrumental suddenly bounds to life with percolating synths and chugging percussion. The guys’ vocal performance wakes from its slumber to deliver a rhythmic, rapid-fire melody that sticks with you after just one listen. Why couldn’t the entire song have been this engaging? I understand the need to contrast between verse and chorus, but this is like going from nap to house party several times throughout the track. Luckily, that “party” segment is strong enough to pull everything else over the line. (But I badly want a remix/rearrangement because the song squanders a ton of potential.)

Grade: B